OHIO ISSUE TWO: LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA

Dear George, 

My home town of Menominee, Michigan, is located smack on the border between Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. When I was a kid, Wisconsin, the dairy state, legally banned the sale of margarine (regarded as an evil competitor to butter). An enterprising businessman in Menominee opened a margarine shop at the foot of the Interstate Bridge, and the business boomed, thanks to a deluge of Wisconsinites.

Now history is repeating itself. Recreational marijuana is legal in Michigan but is illegal in Wisconsin. Recently the Menominee City Council approved the establishment of marijuana stores in the town, and, within a matter of weeks, five brand new marijuana stores opened for business: The Fire Station, RIZE, Lume, Higher Love, and Nirvana. Because their buildings are still under construction, the five dispensaries currently operate only with curbside or drive-through services. According to the local newspaper, Lume has 40 parking spaces and room for 25 more cars to wait in line. The Lume manager reports, “We stay pretty busy all day…People are really excited…” 

In about two weeks Ohioans will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize and regulate the adult use of marijuana in Ohio. The amendment allows adults 21 and over to purchase and use up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 15 grams of cannabis concentrate. It would also allow adults to grow up to six marijuana plants at home. Dispensary sales would be taxed 10% in addition to the usual sales taxes. The Division of Cannabis Control would be established in Ohio to regulate commerce, and cannabis testing laboratories would be regulated. 

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, a group of Ohio medical marijuana businesses, is leading the campaign in favor of the ballet initiative and submitted 127,772 valid signatures in August, 2023, in order to get Issue 2 on the ballot. Parties in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in Ohio include a variety of pro-marijuana organizations, e.g., Ohio Consumers for Safe Cannabis, Ohio Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, the Firelands Company, Cresco Labs Ohio. 

Issue 2 has generated a lot of debate. The main arguments favoring legalization are the following: *Decriminalization of marijuana would end unfair and costly arrests and prosecutions for minor offenses. Ohio had over 60,000 marijuana arrests in 2022. These arrests can cause lasting damage to people’s lives, making it difficult to get jobs or housing, and they disproportionately affect persons of color.  Legalizing marijuana would free up police officers to address more serious crime. 

*Marijuana is purported to have lower risks than alcohol, and, unlike alcohol, it has some health and medical benefits. There are no cases of anyone ever dying from an overdose of marijuana. 

* Ohioans would be able to buy products that are regulated and safe from being laced with deadly or addictive substances such as fentanyl. 

* Legalizing marijuana would create a new source of tax revenue for Ohio. Colorado has generated over $2 billion in tax dollars since marijuana was legalized in 2012. Estimates for Ohio point to tax revenues of $300 to $400 million per year. 

* Legalization would reduce the size of the black market for marijuana, making it more difficult for criminals to profit from marijuana sales. 

Issue 2 is opposed by Protect Ohio Workers & Families, a broad coalition which includes: the Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio State Sheriffs’ Association, Association of Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Academy of Health Commissioners, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association. In addition, top government officials in Ohio have urged a No vote: Governor, Attorney General, President of the Ohio Senate, Speaker of the Ohio House. 

Arguments against passing Issue 2 include the following: 

*Marijuana is addictive and could lead to more serious drug use. Marjiuana today is much more potent than it was in the past. 

*Marijuana has negative effects on thinking and coordination, with potentially dangerous consequences for operating motor vehicles and job safety. While research results are mixed, a Colorado study found that the rate of marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes increased 48% after legalization. 

*Legalization will not eliminate the black market for marijuana. 

* Criminals will still be able to sell marijuana illegally, often at lower prices than the legal market. 

*Home-grown marijuana will expose more youth to a psychoactive drug. 

* “Legalizing recreational marijuana is today’s version of Big Tobacco — big corporations getting rich at the expense of our kids and society.” (Protect Ohio Workers & Families). 

*Legalization will require another state bureaucracy with increased governmental costs. 

To date, 23 states and the District of Columbia (about 49% of Americans) have legalized recreational marijuana use. It appears likely that Issue 2 will pass in Ohio by a large margin. Numerous surveys have found a majority of Ohioans favoring passage. A recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll showed that 59% of Ohio voters support adults buying and possessing marijuana, while only 36% were opposed. 77% of Democrats, 63% of independents and 40% of Republicans support the issue.  Positions vary markedly by age. A recent Baldwin Wallace University survey found that 70% of voters between the ages of 18 and 34 supported legalizing marijuana. However, only 34% of voters 65 or older did so. 

At this point I count myself in the “Undecided” voter category. I find the arguments persuasive on both sides of a complex issue. I don’t believe in alcohol abstinence, though it’s regarded as a more destructive drug, so it seems sort of hypocritical to vote to ban marijuana. On the other hand, I’m impressed that most or all law-enforcement and medical groups argue against legalization. I plan to ponder this some more and make up my mind by November 7th. 

Love, 

Dave 

SOURCES: ballotpedia.org. Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative 2023); ideastream.org, “What is Ohio Issue 2 on marijuana legalization?” Oct. 19, 2023; League of Women Voters of Cincinnati Area. Hamilton County Voter Guide. Issue 2; pewresearch.org. “7 facts about Americans and marijuana.” Apr. 13, 2023; uppermichiganssource.com. “City of Menominee now has 5 cannabis dispensaries open for business.” Oct. 9, 2023; wikipedia.org. “2023 Ohio Issue 2.”

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

 

Dear George, 

 The top news story of the past week, of course, was Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker of the House. The Speakership is one of the most important positions in the U.S. government, responsible for conducting House proceedings, setting its agenda, deciding which bills come up for debate, appointing members to committees, and representing the House in dealings with the President and the Senate. (2) The vote to oust McCarthy was not accompanied by any plan regarding his successor, and no consensus is apparent among Republican House members. Currently there are two declared candidates for the job: Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH). In addition, the New York Times identifies other potential candidates including Tom Emmer (R-MN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Patrick McHenry (R-NC). (7) Here is a bit of info about each. 

 As House Majority Leader, Steve Scalise is seen by many as the frontrunner for the Speaker position. A staunch conservative, Scalise receives a rating of 95% by the American Conservative Union. He has repeatedly voted to appeal the Affordable Care Act, has supported tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, opposed same-sex marriage, opposed gun control, and supported voter suppression. Scalise has been criticized for his past associations with white supremacy and anti-Semitic groups. A Louisiana political reporter quoted him as describing himself as “like David Duke (the former KKK leader) without the baggage.” While a leading candidate, Scalise’s chances are diminished by opposition from far-right House Republicans who think that he is not sufficiently conservative. He is also receiving intensive treatment for blood cancer. (7) 

 Ohio representative Jim Jordan, the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, is the other declared candidate for the Speaker position, and Donald Trump has endorsed him for the job (which may or may not have any impact). Receiving a rating of 100% from the American Conservative Union, Jordan is one of the most conservative House members. He was the founding chairman of the far-right Freedom Caucus in the House. Known as a conservative bomb thrower (4), Jordan is one of Trump’s top allies and a leader in the impeachment inquiry into President Biden. While Jordan has strong support from the extreme wing of the Republican party, the New York Times concluded that, because of his divisiveness, he “is not likely to muster a majority of the House Republican conference.” (9) 

 As House Majority Whip, Tom Emmer’s profile is similar to Scalise’s. Emmer (82%, ACU) has actively supported tax cuts for the wealthy, opposed abortion rights even when the mother’s life is in danger, strongly supported gun rights, opposed environmental regulation. Critics argue that his record in Congress reflects inaction and gridlock. Because he voted to certify Biden’s election and advised Republican candidates to distance themselves from Trump, Emmer is actively opposed by Trump allies and is deemed unlikely to win sufficient support for the Speaker position. (3, 11) 

 Elise Stefanik (98%, ACU) is the third-ranking Republican in the House, serving as Majority Whip. Despite being regarded as a moderate Republican before Trump’s election, she became one of Trump’s most enthusiastic allies in the House, having defended him on numerous occasions, including during his impeachment trials. Stefanik objected to certification of Biden’s victory, has voted against legislation that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination, and has spoken at events hosted by white supremacist organizations. Stefanik is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party, but it’s unclear if she has the experience or the support to become Speaker. (10) 

 Kevin Hern (98%, ACU) is chair of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservative Republicans in the House, and he is popular among the Republican base. Like most of the prospective candidates he has been a vocal supporter of Trump, voted to overturn the 2020 election, supported tax cuts for the wealthy, opposed environmental regulations, supported gun rights, opposed expanded access to voting, and called for President Biden’s impeachment. Hart may be a viable candidate, but he faces challenges because of his lack of experience and his polarizing views. (7) 

 Tom Cole (92%, ACU) is Chair of the House Rules Committee. Like his colleagues mentioned above, Cole has opposed the Affordable Care Act, supported tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, opposed gun control measures, opposed abortion rights, denied climate change, and supported voter suppression legislation. Cole is a respected member of the Republican Party, but he is not as well-known as Scalise or Emmer. 

 (1) Patrick McHenry (89%, ACU), selected by McCarthy to be the interim Speaker of the House, is also Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. While McHenry is well-liked, he is distrusted by hard-liners because of his role in the recent deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. McHenry hasn’t yet expressed interest in the permanent Speaker job. (6) 

 My personal opinion is that all of these candidates are nightmares and likely to have have negative consequences upon Congress and American society. Most are to the right of Kevin McCarthy, who is himself a staunch conservative. However, I do recognize that they’re typical of the current Republican Party and its leadership, as well as enjoying the approval of roughly half the country. According to Newsweek, recent bookmaker odds have Scalise the favorite (odds of 8/11, meaning if you bet $11 you would win $8), followed by Hern (9/2) Jordan (8/1), Stefanik (10/1), Emmer (14/1), and McHenry (14/1). (5) It’s surprising to me that there are no moderate Republicans who are mentioned as viable candidates for Speaker. However, moderate Republicanism is a vanishing breed in the House, and, because the party conference is controlled by the far right, it’s unlikely that any moderate could be voted into the position. Election as Speaker requires 218 votes in the 435-seat House. How any of these candidates are going to reach this magic number is an unknown. Election as Speaker is going to require voting support from hard-liners, moderate Republicans, and even some Democrats, and, with the far right in control of the House, it isn’t clear that any of the potential candidates can pull that off. With decisions about government funding and Ukraine support looming for House action in the next month or so, the outlook is scary. 

Love, 

Dave 

 SOURCES: (1) cole.house.gov; (2) housegov; (3) huffpost.com, Sept. 4, 2022; (4) nbcnews.com, Oct. 4, 2023; (5) newsweek.com, Oct. 7, 2023; (6) npr.com, Oct. 4, 2023; (7) nytimes.com, Oct. 4, 2023; (8) nytimes.com, Oct. 4, 2023; (9) nytimes.com, Oct. 2, 2023; (10) time.com, May 8, 2021; (11) time.com, Oct. 4, 2023.